N17286:509
The saints everlasting rest
The saints everlasting rest: or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory: extracted from the works of Mr. Richard Baxter, by John Wesley, M.A. late fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford.
Philadelphia: printed by Prichard & Hall, 1790
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I answer, Sure no man that hath the face of a christian, will for shame own such an objection as this. Yet. I doubt, it oft prevaileth in the heart. Is his love more to be valued than his safety? Or thy own benefit by him than the salvation of his soul? Or ••lt thou connive at his damnation, because he is ⟨p. 223⟩thy friend? Is that thy best requital of his friendship? Hadst thou rather he should burn for-ever in hell, than thou shouldst lose his favour, or the maintenance thou hast from him?
To conclude this use, that I may prevail with every soul that feareth GOD, to use their utmost diligence to help all about them to this blessed rest, let me entreat you to consider these following motives:
1. Consider, nature teacheth the communicating of good, and grace doth especially dispose the soul thereto; the neglect therefore of this work, is a sin both against nature and grace.
Would you not think that man or woman unnatural, that would let their children or neighbours famish in the streets, while they have provision at hand? And is not he more unnatural, that will let his children or neighbours perish eternally, and will not open his mouth to save them? Certainly this is most barbarous cruelty. We account an unmerciful, cruel man, a very monster, to be abhorred of all. Many vicious men are too much loved in the world, but a cruel man is abhorred of all. Now that it may appear to you what a cruel thing this neglect of souls is, do but consider these two things. First, how great a work it is. Secondly, how small a matter it is that thou refusest to do for the accomplishing so great a work. First, it is to save thy brother from eternal flames, that he may not there lie roaring in endless remediless torments. It is to bring him to the everlasting rest, where he may live in inconceivable happiness with GOD. Secondly, and what is it that you should do to help him herein? Why, it is to persuade him, and lay open to him his sin, and his duty, his misery, and the remedy, till you have made him willing to yield to the offers and commands of Christ. And is this so